Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
SourcingOct 17, 2017
AMNH to Completely Redesign Gem and Mineral Halls
New York City’s American Museum of Natural History is giving the exhibits a facelift in time to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The renovation of the gem and mineral halls at the American Museum of Natural History will include a redesigned gem gallery, featuring a case containing the museum’s most precious gems.
New York--The gem and mineral halls at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History will soon be getting a facelift.
The museum announced Monday morning that it will undertake a complete redesign of the halls, transforming the 11,000-square-foot space into a “gleaming showcase” for the world-renowned collection.
Construction will begin when the current halls close on Oct. 26.
The American Museum of Natural History is home to about 105,000 minerals and 5,000 gems.
The specimens there have been displayed in several different galleries over the years. Until 1974, the J. Pierpont Morgan Memorial Hall of Minerals and Gems on the 4 floor was the primary display area. Then in May 1976, the current Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems and Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals opened on the first floor.
Now, the exhibits will be renamed for Roberto and Allison Mignone, longstanding supporters of and volunteers at the museum.
The redesigned halls will aim to tell the story of how the different types of minerals arose on the planet, how scientists classify them and how humans have fashioned them into gems and used them for personal adornment, tools and technology throughout history, curated by George Harlow, who also serves as curator of the museum’s Division of Physical Sciences.
“Forty-plus years ago, when the current galleries were designed, scientists had not yet begun to explore the concept of mineral evolution,” he said. “Today, we work within a different framework, where much of the diversity of minerals on our dynamic planet is directly connected to the evolution of life. Our new exhibits will allow us to tell how the story of minerals is linked with their natural environment and biology on the one hand and with culture and technology on the other.”
The Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will feature new large-scale acquisitions, like the 563-carat Star of India sapphire and the 632-carat Patricia emerald, as well as pieces from the collection that haven’t been on display for decades.
What the “Crystal Garden” main exhibition area will look like when it opens. It will feature signature large-scale specimens from around the world.
The Crystalline Pass will connect the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to the new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation.
This 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, recently acquired from Uruguay, will stand in the Grand Gallery through the holiday season, and then will be a centerpiece in the new halls when they open in 2019.
A shot of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals as it looks now
Other elements currently planned for the new halls are a “Crystal Garden” main exhibition area with large-scale specimens from around the world and zones that highlight a variety of processes and environments that shape mineral formation; a gem gallery with a case featuring the museum’s most precious gems; a case dedicated to the minerals of New York City, including the “Subway Garnet;” a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions; and a fluorescence and phosphorescence gallery.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Harlow also told press Monday morning that they’re hoping to add birthstones to the museum’s display and a section that looks at the process of taking a mineral from rough to polished gem.
And where it previously formed a cul-de-sac in the museum, the exhibit now will have a passage to the new Center for Science, Education and Innovation to allow for the better flow of museum guests.
To celebrate the redesign, the museum unveiled one of the new halls’ featured specimens, a 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, which was recently acquired from Uruguay and which will be on temporary view in the museum’s Grand Gallery through the 2017 holiday season.
The museum said the piece, which will be a centerpiece in the new halls once they are open, is among the largest amethyst geodes in the world.
The renovation of the Halls of Gems and Minerals, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, comes as part of a series of physical and programmatic enhancements to the historic parts of the museum as it gets ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2019. The Halls are expected to open that year.
And where it previously formed a cul-de-sac in the museum, the exhibit now will have a passage to the new Center for Science, Education and Innovation to allow for the better flow of museum guests.
To celebrate the redesign, the museum unveiled one of the new halls’ featured specimens, a 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, which was recently acquired from Uruguay and which will be on temporary view in the museum’s Grand Gallery through the 2017 holiday season.
The museum said the piece, which will be a centerpiece in the new halls once they are open, is among the largest amethyst geodes in the world.
The renovation of the Halls of Gems and Minerals, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, comes as part of a series of physical and programmatic enhancements to the historic parts of the museum as it gets ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2019. The Halls are expected to open that year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
